Synergistic activation of CO2 and H2 by Ru-Oxygen vacancy pairs over porous CeO2 for efficient formic acid synthesis

The catalytic conversion of CO 2 into formic acid (FA) is a 100% atom economy strategy for carbon recycling, yet it remains challenging due to the need for high-performance catalysts. This study presents a well-defined single-atom Ru catalyst anchored on oxygen-deficient CeO 2 , synthesized via a facile solvothermal and calcination process followed by impregnation. The catalyst demonstrated exceptional efficiency for the selective hydrogenation of CO 2 to FA, achieving a remarkable turnover frequency (TOF) of 5719 h −1 . Experimental and characterization results revealed that oxygen vacancies (OVs) in CeO 2 significantly enhanced CO 2 adsorption and activation while stabilizing Ru species and increasing their charge density, thereby improving H 2 activation. The synergistic interaction between OVs and electronic metal-support interactions was identified as the key to the catalyst’s superior performance. This work provides valuable insights into the strategic design of heterogeneous catalysts, offering a pathway for efficient CO 2 utilization and broader applications in catalytic processes.